Vermont’s org charts

2023-04-18

Dear friend,

I've worked within organizations for my professional life, and often found them dysfunctional. One particular flavor of that dysfunction is the "org chart."

An organizational chart, to anyone not yet acquainted, shows the internal structure of an organization or company. The employees and positions are represented by boxes or other shapes.

In my experience, seeing an org chart can be clarifying for where you stand, and also dehumanizing. Org charts make us all into little boxes, and stacked in a particular order.

I went four months into my job as State Representative before encountering an org chart. But then, the inevitable happened.

I was reading a document on how the State budget gets put together, and there it was. Why would this job be any different?

Friends, here is the State of Vermont Organizational Chart:

I love that "Citizens" have the top job. That's as it should be. Everything else in the state rolls up to the authority vested in it by Vermonters.

After that, I have questions about accuracy and design. I don't think the line from "Auditor of Accounts" on down is accurate. Those positions are elected independently of each other and have distinct statutory authority.

But there it is. I thought I'd pass it along, for what it's worth.

Also for what it's worth, I sometimes get communications from residents that I find puzzling. For example, this email from a Whitingham resident:

"It has come to my attention from others here in Whitingham that the voting is coming up on S.5 and S.39. I was at the Whitingham Town Meeting where you spoke. You did not give any answers to many questions. As for the Affordable Heat Act, it was plain that You would be a Yes Vote even though the majority in that room wanted you to VOTE NO including myself and my husband. He did speak to you personally and again you would not tell him how you would vote. I or anyone else that has heard you speak already knows that those of us who believe in a Government of the people, by the people, and for the people will not be represented." - A Resident

Here is how I responded:

Thank you for writing and sharing your opinion.

I am a little unsure how to respond. You say you want me to listen to the “common folk” before voting on a bill.

I have been undecided on both S.5 and S.39 for just this reason. I listened to the concerns of residents at Whitingham Town Meeting, then again in Wilmington and Halifax. Residents in all three towns were articulate and clear in their concerns. I listened to each one without interruption, and asked questions to understand better, where appropriate.

I have taken those concerns to my colleagues in the House. Most recently I held a “town hall” meeting at the Halifax Community Club on Sunday, where I spent two hours talking about S.5 with residents. I am in the process this week of continuing to share my questions about these bills with their sponsors.

My vote on these bills will come down to the specifics of the bills, which are a moving target.

In the meantime, for residents who are concerned about these bills, I keep folks updated through my email newsletter on how I’m thinking about things. I hear from constituents via email, phone, and letter every day. I consider these points.

It may appear obvious to you how I should vote on these bills. However, I also hear from constituents who are asking me to be a strong “Yes” on S.5 and S.39. Would you like me to consider these viewpoints as well?

Given that I am apparently letting you down in this process, please tell me how I can improve. I always aspire to become more concise in writing and speech. Yet at the same time, I hear from many residents who have thanked me for being forthcoming in my thinking. What balance would you prefer me to strike?

At what point prior to voting on a bill do you want me to tell you my vote?

---

Here's a photo from Sunday:

This week is looking exciting. S.5 will be on the House floor on Thursday and odds are there will be some interesting debate. You can tune into the livestream from the Legislature's homepage.

For background on the Affordable Heat Act is such a big deal, this article from VT Digger from a while back provides some context about how a key transportation effort previously fell through:

--Transportation pact crumbles as 2 states leave, striking a blow to Vermont’s Climate Action Plan - VT Digger

The Legislature is looking for ways to reduce the exposure of Vermonters to polluting, inflation-prone fossil fuels.

In other news, I voted Yes on S.3, to ban paramilitary training activities intended to overthrow the government.

Gov. Scott has said he will sign it.

Vermont is the only state in New England that does not prohibit paramilitary training in its statute. The measure has received widespread support, in part because of its narrow scope.

Private military organizations are outside the protections of the Second Amendment.

Law-abiding citizens won't experience any change. S.3 would still allow lawful and authorized organizations and activities, such as legitimate law enforcement activities, legal shooting ranges, self-defense instruction and hunting.